Where can I paddle?
So you've got the paddle bug but what waterways can you use and what's this about a waterways licence?
You can go for a walk anywhere, you just need some decent shoes.
You can take a bike almost anywhere, although you definitely need a lock and probably some waterproofs.
Paddleboarders give the impression that you can take your paddleboard everywhere there’s water. But that’s not really true. Water ownership, and who’s allowed to use that water is complicated. And that’s not even considering the routes to the water.
To stay on the right side of the law you need a licence to use many rivers and canals. Paddle UK and the Canal & River Trust both sell licences allowing you to paddle on around 4,500km of waterway.
If you are a paddleboarder (aka unpowered craft!) the Canal & River Trust also direct you to Paddle UK
For example that means you can go on your nearest canal, go to the Norfolk Broads or take a lovely trip to the Lake District. But once there (if you’ve driven) you may also need to pay a parking fee.
Of course you could carry your paddleboard on your back (or wheel it), and I do know people who have no car AND their own paddleboard. But even inflatable boards are heavy, and it’s more fun (and safer) to paddle with someone else, which makes the temptation to use a car if you are not in reach of canals or good public transport very high.
Did you know that rural bus routes cost £3 a journey. You can go a very long way with a £3 ticket.
The obvious solution for those with paddle wanderlust is to rent boards when you fancy a paddle. It also makes good sense to join Paddle UK which gives you the waterways licence for 4,500km. Then schedule in time to study their PaddlePoints launch map which gives you a huge amount of info about places including nearest toilets, food, parking etc.
PaddlePoints lets you type in your postcode and immediately get the paddleable waterways 30 miles radius. I’m based in London but look at this amazing selection of paddles the app says I could try out: Regents Canal, River Lee Navigation, Grand Union Canal, River Thames, Grand Union Canal - Paddington Arm, River Stort, River Mole, River Wey, Chelmer and Blackwater navigation, Basingstoke Canal, River Medway, River Cam.
The Paddle UK blog (and insta) also has loads of personal stories, often with video, to help you plan a journey, see here. Slightly confusingly for anyone with campaign instincts they often tag each paddle as “save our route”, meaning save for later, not save else it will go.
Read ahead
Paddleboard guide books are also a good source for planning adventures and may also include public transport info – I’m particularly looking forward to the 2026 launch of Bloomsbury’s Paddle London by Anu Aladin which has a focus on public transport.
Ideally flip through your chosen paddleboard book first so you get the right text for your adventure needs. And if you’re part of a club or library member maybe suggest they get them all!
Paddleboarding in the Lake District by Jo Moseley (very thorough)
Paddle the East of England by Jess Ashley, Oli Jordan, Andy Large & Matt Payne (I’ve not seen a copy of this but it came out in 2025)
The Paddleboard Bible by Dave Price (Love this, full of sup puns too)
Southwest Paddleboarding by Lisa Drewe (I’ve not seen a copy of this)
Paddle and the Pub by Lisa Bowes (I’ve not read this but heard good things about it)
Paddling Britain by Lizzie Carr (almost an old book now, with interesting suggestions)
Paddleboard stories
As almost every ad now has a paddleboarder in it, at least that’s what someone told me on the banks of the Grand Union Canal last weekend, there’s a lot of exposure for the sport, and yet for some reason there aren’t many paddleboarders starring in novels. Luckily my novel (as an ebook or printed) Not That Deep takes the reader on a proper paddleboard adventure. If you haven’t yet bought a copy then please be kind and just do it for a tenner (paperback) about as much as a short stay parking ticket before a paddle or £3 for the ebook, equivalent to one long bus ride! Or maybe subscribe to this substack.
I have just spent the summer paddling around England and Wales and are amazed at some of the prices charged. PaddleUK membership is great but others can be quite expensive. I was asked £28 to park and launch on the slip in Whitby. On the Chelmer and Blackwater in Essex it was £6 to paddle, £5 to park and if you wanted to use the slip it was £13 to launch and £13 to land. The Medway in Kent had excellent facilities and is included in the PaddleUK membership, so is well worth visiting. The Lancaster Canal was great, no locks and free parking. So much great paddling available just be careful of some launch fees.